Athletic Director Mark Linder is leaving Missouri Western State University to be closer to his family. Linder will become athletic director at the University of North Alabama in Florence on August 27th. Linder says his new position is a chance to stay in college athletics and still be close to his family. He says getting the job has been a long process.

Linder has been the AD at Western since 2003. He joined Western in 1999 as NCAA Compliance/Athletic Academic Coordinator and Assistant Director of Athletics.

Linder says Saint Joseph is a wonderful community and he hopes it will give the next AD the same support.

Click on the link to hear his comments. Special thanks to Missourinet affiliate Stacy Niebling at KFEQ 680 AM in St. Joseph, MO